Overview

Start Your Pathway for Enrolling in an MS in Accounting

The accounting bridge program online at Grand Canyon University is an option if you have a bachelor’s degree in an approved business field, other than accounting, and want to work toward earning your master’s degree in accounting. The accounting bridge program will teach you the fundamental background knowledge you need to apply for enrollment in a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program. The courses taken are the introductory courses to an MSA, which may enable you to feel more confident as you work toward graduate-level studies.

MSA Degree

Bridge (Master of Science in Accounting)

Offered By

Colangelo College of Business

Class Settings

Online

Tuition Rate

Online: $485 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 28

Campus: 15 weeks

Online: 8 weeks

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Transfer Credits

Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)

16+ years old
High School Graduate
3.0+ Unweighted GPA

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

ACT: 19
SAT: 1000*

Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).

Coursework

Accounting Bridge Program Online Courses and Curriculum

This program includes accounting graduate courses that cover all the topics needed to transition from a bachelor’s degree in a business-related field to an MSA program.

Some of these topics include:

Accounting cycle

Financial statements

Principles of accounting

Cost-volume-profit analysis

Budgets and payroll

Capital investments

Income statements

Retirement benefits

Taxation and auditing

Next Steps After Completing the Accounting Bridge Program Online

After completion of the accounting bridge program at GCU, you may be eligible to apply to the Master of Science in Accounting program. This degree-conferring graduate program can prepare you to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination. This exam is required for achieving a CPA license in your state, residence or practice.¹

Accreditation

Complete Your Online Bridge Program at an Accredited University

Higher education is an investment in your future, and the quality of education matters. While you consider your options for a bridge to the Master of Science in Accounting, it’s important to verify that the university you choose is accredited. Institutional accreditation aligns with the quality of the college, as acknowledged by its peers. GCU is proud to be an institutionally accredited school.

FAQ

Accounting Bridge Program Online FAQs

As you think about transitioning to the accounting field from another business-related discipline, you may have some questions. Explore the following FAQs and answers as you consider applying for enrollment in the accounting bridge program.

Accounting can be an exciting field to work in because it offers variety. CPAs might work on tax returns one day and financial statements or audits the next. It also offers versatility, as you could choose to work within nearly any industry (organizations from apple farms to zoos all need accountants) and in a variety of specializations. Some accountants choose to launch their own CPA firms, making it a solid choice for those with an entrepreneurial mindset.

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting, then you can apply directly to an MSA program. However, if you have a business-related degree in a discipline other than accounting, you may not necessarily be prepared to tackle accounting graduate courses. In this situation, it’s recommended that you gain some foundational knowledge with a bridge to the Master of Science in Accounting before applying to an MSA.

The four main types of accounting are as follows:

Government accounting: Government accountants work for governmental agencies. They track and manage governmental finances and establish budgets.²
Corporate accounting: A corporate accountant works for a business. They are responsible for accurately documenting financial transactions and delivering financial insights to corporate decision-makers. Corporate accountants may also be called private accountants because they work for just one business.³
Public accounting: In contrast to corporate accountants, public accountants may work for a variety of organizations and individuals, rather than working at an in-house accounting department.²
Forensic accounting: Forensic accountants specialize in examining the financial records of organizations and individuals who are suspected of committing financial crimes, such as fraud. Some forensic accountants testify in court.⁴

Courses

Course List

Credit Summary

Major28 credits

Degree Requirements28 credits

Core Courses

ACC-250

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the accounting cycle and the construction of financial statements. Students explore the fundamental principles and practices of financial accounting as outlined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); the steps in the accounting cycle from journalizing transactions through the preparation of financial statements; and the use and interpretation of the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows. Prerequisite: MAT-134, MAT-144, MAT-154, or higher subsequent math course.

ACC-260

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the use of managerial accounting data in the decision-making process. Topics include the use of cost-volume-profit (CVP) analysis and relevant costs in decision making, using budgets and the balanced scorecard to evaluate performance, methods for setting prices of products and services, and analyzing capital investment opportunities. Prerequisite: ACC-250.

ACC-360

4 Total Credits

ACC-370

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is an in-depth study of accounting objectives, principles, theory, and practice as related to the balance sheet and income statement. Students explore the accounting cycle, the preparation of detailed financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), accounting for assets, and other items frequently addressed on the Uniform Certified Public Accounting Examination (Uniform CPA Exam). Prerequisites: ACC-250 and ACC-260.

ACC-371

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is an in-depth study of accounting objectives, principles, theory, and practice as related to the balance sheet and income statement. Students explore liabilities and equity items; the specific rules for accounting for leases, accounting changes, and revenue recognition, and other items frequently addressed on the Uniform Certified Public Accounting Examination (Uniform CPA Exam). Prerequisite: ACC-370.

ACC-460

4 Total Credits

ACC-491

4 Total Credits

Course Description

Auditing is an examination of generally accepted auditing standards, procedures involved in the auditing process, and ethical issues faced by the auditor. Through class discussions, practical applications, and case studies, students learn the responsibilities of the independent public auditor in the expression of opinion within the guidelines set by the AICPA’s Code of Professional Ethics. Topics include the nature and types of audits, auditor responsibilities and legal liabilities, audit reports, auditing procedures, ethical issues, contemporary issues in auditing, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Prerequisites: ACC-260 or ACC-350, and ACC-370.

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

More Resources

All Bridge Programs

Financial

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Tuition & Financing

Scholarships & Grants

Information

Admission

Start Your Journey Today

Position yourself for a possible career transition to the accounting field. Apply for enrollment in the accounting bridge program at GCU and be taught core competencies in accounting. Fill out the form on this page to get started.

Apply Now

¹ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, Sept. 8). How to Become an Accountant or Auditor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved July 31, 2023.

²U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, Sept. 8). What Accountants and Auditors Do. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Aug. 3, 2023.

³Palatnik, B., CPA, MBA, PhD., & Blaber, Z., CPA, PhD. (2022, Feb. 28). Choosing between public and corporate accounting. New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants. Retrieved Aug. 3, 2023.

⁴ Ringoen, L., CPA, CFF, CIRA. (n.d.). What Does a Forensic Accountant Do? The Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs. Retrieved Aug. 3, 2023.

Accounting Bridge Program Online

Accounting Bridge Program Online

Start Your Pathway for Enrolling in an MS in Accounting

Bridge (Master of Science in Accounting)

Complete the Bridge to the Master of Science in Accounting

Accounting Bridge Program Online Courses and Curriculum

Next Steps After Completing the Accounting Bridge Program Online

Complete Your Online Bridge Program at an Accredited University

Accounting Bridge Program Online FAQs

Course List

Start Your Journey Today

Course List

Bridge (Master of Science in Accounting)